The present invention relates to active compounds for treating acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in a subject in need thereof and methods of treating AML carried out by administering the subject an active compound in an amount effective to treat the leukemia. The active compound comprises a 10-mer oligonucleotide covalently linked via 3′ to 5′ phosphodiester linkages of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, FdUMP[10], or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.